Effects of enalapril on renal parameters in patients with primary glomerulopathies associated with chronic renal failure

14 patients (8 male, 6 female), aged 35 to 64 years, with glomerulopathies consisting of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) [n = 6], membranous GN (n = 3), focal and diffuse glomerulosclerosis (n = 4), and post-streptococcal GN (n = 1) were studied. Diagnosis was established by renal biopsy in 12 of the 14 patients. All 14 patients had impaired renal function (creatinine clearance = 25 to 55 ml/min) and proteinuria (1.0 to 10.4 g/day). Five normotensive patients received enalapril 20 mg/day, whereas 9 patients with hypertension received 20 to 40 mg/day to control blood pressure. Diuretics were administered concomitantly to 8 patients. Patients attended the clinic every 14 days for 30 months and their diets were closely monitored, with sodium intake limited to between 50 and 100 mEq/day and protein to between 1.0 and 1.2 g/kg/day. Blood pressure was significantly controlled in the patients with hypertension. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine clearance and 24-hour urinary protein excretion all significantly improved during the 30-month study. No adverse clinical events were noted. Thus, over a period of time, enalapril therapy may improve the prognosis of patients with glomerulonephritis by maintaining glomerular filtration rates and decreasing proteinuria and blood pressure.